Club head with a shock-absorber and method of manufacturing the same

ABSTRACT

A club head has a body, a shock-absorber and a plug assembly. The body is hollow and has a rear face, a top face, an inner chamber, an absorber mount and a shaft mount. The inner chamber is defined in the hollow body and has an inner surface. The absorber mount is formed on and protrudes internally from the rear face of the body and has an air hole. The shaft mount is formed through and protrude from the top face of the body. The shock-absorber is hollow and is mounted in the inner chamber of the body and abuts the inner face of the inner chamber. The plug assembly is securely mounted in the absorber mount. Due to the shock-absorber being mounted in the body, the shock-absorber can decrease vibrations of the club due to a player hitting a golf ball.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a club head, especially to be a club head with a shock-absorber and a method for manufacturing the same.

2. Description of the Prior Arts

A golf club has a club head and a shaft. The club head is mounted on the shaft and may be an iron, wood or hybrid type club head. Wood club heads in accordance with the prior art have shock-absorbers in order to decrease vibrations caused by hitting a golf ball being transferred to a player. Golf club heads may be wooden, metal or composite, are hollow and have a body and a shock-absorber. The body has an inner surface and a gas container. The gas container has compressed air with a pressure level. The shock-absorber is formed on the inner surface of the body to absorb vibration due to hitting the golf ball.

Although such technique is effective for iron type club heads, hybrid and wood type club heads are not suitable for the technique because a thickness of the hybrid and wood type club heads is decreased to reduce weight of the hybrid and wood type club heads. Therefore, a shock-absorber is not evenly formed on an inner surface of the hybrid and wood club head, which causes these clubs heads to be less than ideally balanced and reduces a club head performance.

To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides a club head to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main objective of the present invention is to provide a club head with a shock-absorber and a method for manufacturing the same.

The club head has a body, a shock-absorber and a plug assembly. The body is hollow and has a rear face, a top face, an inner chamber, an absorber mount and a shaft mount. The inner chamber is defined in the hollow body and has an inner surface. The absorber mount is formed on and protrudes internally from the rear face of the body and has an air hole. The shaft mount is formed through and protrudes from the top face of the body. The shock-absorber is hollow and is mounted in the inner chamber of the body and abuts the inner face of the inner chamber. The plug assembly is securely mounted in the absorber mount. Due to the shock-absorber being mounted in the body, the shock-absorber can decrease vibrations transferred to a player due to hitting a golf ball.

A method for manufacturing the club head in accordance with the present invention comprising steps of:

(a) providing a hollow body and a hollow shock-absorber;

(b) mounting through and fastening the shock-absorber;

(c) mounting and sealing a striking plate;

(d) extracting air;

(e) blowing air into the shock-absorber;

(f) setting pressure inside the shock-absorber; and

(g) closing the absorber mount.

Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partially exploded side view in partial section of a club head in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded side view in partial section of the club head in FIG. 1 showing a striking plate being mounted on the opening;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method for manufacturing the club head in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an operational cross sectional side view of a shock-absorber in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an operational side view in partial section of the club head showing the shock-absorber mounted in an absorber mount;

FIG. 6 is an operational side view in partial section of the club head showing the inlet being cut;

FIG. 7 is an operational side view in partial section of the club head being supported;

FIG. 8 is an operational side view in partial section of the club head showing a striking plate being mounted on the opening;

FIG. 9 is an operational side view in partial section of the club head showing an inlet valve being mounted in the absorber mount and a connector being mounted on the shaft mount;

FIG. 10 is an operational side view in partial section of the club head showing the shock-absorber attached to an inner surface of the body;

FIG. 11 is an operational side view in partial section of the club head showing a pressuring needle mounted in the absorber mount;

FIG. 12 is an operational side view in partial section of the club head showing a plug assembly sealing the absorber mount; and

FIG. 13 is a side view in partial section of the club head showing a plug assembly sealing the absorber mount.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a club head in accordance with the present invention comprises a body (10), a shock-absorber (20) and a plug assembly (30).

The body (10) is hollow and has a front face, a rear face, a top face, an inner chamber, an opening (11), an absorber mount (12), a shaft mount (13) and a striking plate (14). The inner chamber is defined in the hollow body (10) and has an inner surface. The opening (11) is formed through the front face of the body (10). The absorber mount (12) is formed on and protrudes internally from the rear face of the body (10) and has an air hole (121), an outer surface and a countersink. The air hole (121) communicates with the inner chamber of the body (10). The outer surface may be tapered and threaded and have a inner thread (122). The countersink is formed in the body (10) and communicates with the absorber mount (12). The shaft mount (13) is formed through and protrudes from the top face of the body (10) and communicates with the inner chamber of the body (10). The striking plate (14) is mounted on the opening (11) of the body (10) to seal the opening (11).

The shock-absorber (20) is hollow, is mounted in the inner chamber of the body (10), abuts the inner face of the inner chamber, is filled with compressed air at a pressure to provide a shock-absorbing effect and has an inlet (21). The inlet (21) is formed on and protrudes from the shock-absorber (20), corresponds to and is mounted securely in the air hole (121) of the absorber mount (12).

The plug assembly (30) is securely mounted in the absorber mount (12) and has a seal (31), an optional spacer (32), a peg (34) and a washer (33).

The seal (31) is resilient, is mounted in the absorber mount (12) to seal the air hole (121). The spacer (32) is securely mounted in the air hole (121) of the absorber mount (12). The spacer (32) may have an outer thread corresponding to and engaging the inner thread (122) of the outer surface of the absorber mount (12) and a threaded hole being defined axially through the spacer (32). The peg (34) is mounted securely in and seals the absorber mount (12) and has a shaft and a head. The shaft of the peg (34) may engage the threaded hole of the spacer (32). The head of the peg (34) is mounted in countersink of the absorber mount (12). The washer (33) is mounted around the shaft of the peg (34) may be between the spacer (32) and the head of the peg (34).

With reference to FIG. 3, a method for manufacturing the club head in accordance with the present invention comprises steps of: (a) providing a hollow body (10) and a hollow shock-absorber (20); (b) mounting through and fastening the shock-absorber; (c) mounting and sealing a striking plate (14); (d) extracting air; (e) blowing air into the shock-absorber (20); (f) setting pressure inside the shock-absorber (20); and (g) closing the absorber mount (12).

With further reference to FIG. 4 and 13, in the step of (a) providing a hollow body (10) and a hollow shock-absorber (20), the body (10) has an opening (11), an absorber mount (12), a shaft mount (13) communicating with the hollow body (10) and a striking plate (14). The absorber mount (12) has an outer surface and an air hole. The shock-absorber (20) has an inlet (21). The inlet (21) is formed on and protrudes from the shock-absorber (20) and has an outer surface and a flange (23). The flange (23) is formed on the outer surface of the inlet (21). The shock-absorber (20) before inflation may has two variants. A first variant of an un-inflated shock-absorber (20A) is barrel-shaped, as shown in FIG. 13. A second variant of the un-inflated shock-absorber (20B) is concertinaed for consistent expansion, as shown in FIG. 13.

With further reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the step of (b) mounting through and fastening the shock-absorber (20) comprises mounting the shock-absorber (20) in the body (10) from the opening (11) of the body (10), mounting the inlet (21) of the shock-absorber (20) through the absorber mount (21) so the flange (23) abuts the outer surface of the absorber mount (12) and cutting?? the inlet (21) to a suitable length. The shock-absorber (20) may be heated to improve fastening and facilitate inflating the shock-absorber (20).

With further reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the step of (c) mounting and sealing the striking plate (14) on the opening (11) of the body comprises stabilizing the body (10), maybe by placing the body (10) in a corresponding recess (41) of a platform (40), filling the hollow body (10) with liquid (50), may be water, to protect the shock-absorber (20), mounting and welding the striking plate (14) on the opening (11) of the body (10), and emptying the liquid (50) through the shaft mount (13). The water prevents heat damage of the shock-absorber (20) during mounting and welding of the striking plate (14) on the opening (11) of the body (10).

With further reference to FIG. 9, the step of (d) extracting air comprises mounting an inlet valve (60) in the absorber mount (12) and a connector (61) in the shaft mount (13), heating the body (10), maybe in an oven, may be between 170 and 250° C., extracting air between the shock-absorber (20) and the body (10) through the shaft mount (13), and sealing the shaft mount (13).

The inlet valve (60) has a one-way valve (601) and communicates with the shock-absorber (20) through the inlet (21). The connector (61) is connected to a vacuum pump to extract air.

With further reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, the step of (e) blowing air into the shock-absorber (20) comprises adding air through the absorber mount (12) via the inlet valve (60), cooling the body (10) to room temperature, covering the air hole of the absorber mount (12) and the inlet (21) of the shock-absorber with a seal (31) and removing the inlet valve (60). The shock-absorber (20) may expand and abut an inner surface of the body (10) and hold pressure in the shock-absorber (20).

The step of (f) setting pressure inside the shock-absorber (20) comprises mounting a pressurizing needle (70) through the seal (31) to communicate with the shock-absorber (20) through the inlet (21) to pressurize the shock-absorber (20) to a pressure.

With further reference to FIG. 12, the step of (g) closing the absorber mount (12) comprises mounting a plug assembly (30) securely in the absorber mount (12).

Since the shock-absorber (20) is mounted in the body (10), the shock-absorber (20) reduces vibrations transferred to a player after hitting a golf ball. Further, the shock-absorber (20) is inflated to abut the inner surface of the body (10). Therefore, the shock-absorber (20) is evenly mounted on the inner surface of the body and retains a correct balance of the club head.

Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and features of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in the details, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 

1. A club head comprising a body being hollow and having a front face; a rear face; a top face; an inner chamber being defined in the hollow body and having an inner surface; an absorber mount being formed on and protruding internally from the rear face of the body and having an air hole communicating with the inner chamber of the body; an outer surface; and a countersink being formed in the body and communicating with the absorber mount; and a shaft mount being formed through and protruding from the top face of the body; a shock-absorber being hollow and being mounted in the inner chamber of the body and abutting the inner face of the inner chamber; and a plug assembly being securely mounted in the absorber mount.
 2. The club head as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body further has an opening being formed through the front face of the body; and a striking plate being mounted on the opening of the body to seal the opening.
 3. The club head as claimed in claim 2, wherein the shock-absorber has an inlet being formed on and protruding from the shock-absorber and corresponding to and being mounted securely in the air hole of the absorber mount.
 4. The club head as claimed in claim 3, wherein the plug assembly further has a seal being resilient and being mounted in the absorber mount; a spacer being securely mounted in the air hole of the absorber mount; a peg being mounted securely in and sealing the absorber mount and having a shaft; and a head being mounted in countersink of the absorber mount; and a washer being mounted around the shaft of the peg.
 5. A method for manufacturing the club head comprising steps of: (a) providing a hollow body and a hollow shock-absorber; (b) mounting through and fastening the shock-absorber comprising mounting the shock-absorber in the body; (c) mounting and sealing a striking plate comprising mounting a striking plate on the body to seal the body; (d) extracting air comprising extracting air between the shock-absorber and the body; (e) blowing air into the shock-absorber; (f) setting pressure inside the shock-absorber; and (g) closing the absorber mount.
 6. The method for manufacturing the club head as claimed in claim 5, wherein the body has an opening; an absorber mount having an outer surface; and an air hole; a shaft mount communicating with the hollow body; and a striking plate mounted on the opening of the body; and the shock-absorber further has an inlet being formed on and protruding from the shock-absorber and having an outer surface; and a flange being formed on the outer surface of the inlet.
 7. The method for manufacturing the club head as claimed in claim 6, wherein the step of (b) further comprises mounting the shock-absorber in the body from the opening of the body; mounting the inlet of the shock-absorber through the absorber mount; and cutting the inlet to a suitable length.
 8. The method for manufacturing the club head as claimed in claim 6, wherein the step of (c) comprises stabilizing the body; filling the hollow body with liquid; mounting and welding the striking plate on the opening of the body; and emptying the liquid through the shaft mount.
 9. The method for manufacturing the club head as claimed in claim 6, wherein the step of (d) comprises mounting an inlet valve in the absorber mount and a connector in the shaft mount; heating the body; extracting air between the shock-absorber and the body through the shaft mount; and sealing the shaft mount.
 10. The method for manufacturing the club head as claimed in claim 6, wherein the step of (e) comprises adding air through the absorber mount via an inlet valve; cooling the body to room temperature; covering the air hole of the absorber mount inlet of the shock-absorber and with a seal; and removing the inlet valve.
 11. The method for manufacturing the club head as claimed in claim 6, wherein the step of (g) comprises mounting a plug assembly securely in the absorber mount.
 12. The method for manufacturing the club head as claimed in claim 9, wherein the heating the body of step (d) is performed between 170 and 250° C.
 13. The method for manufacturing the club head as claimed in claim 6, wherein the shock-absorber is concertinaed.
 14. The method for manufacturing the club head as claimed in claim 7, wherein the shock-absorber is concertinaed.
 15. The method for manufacturing the club head as claimed in claim 8, wherein the shock-absorber is concertinaed.
 16. The method for manufacturing the club head as claimed in claim 9, wherein the shock-absorber is concertinaed.
 17. The method for manufacturing the club head as claimed in claim 10, wherein the shock-absorber is concertinaed.
 18. The method for manufacturing the club head as claimed in claim 11, wherein the shock-absorber is concertinaed.
 19. The method for manufacturing the club head as claimed in claim 12, wherein the shock-absorber is concertinaed. 